TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Fabio Meazza
The training course "Voices to Inspire" aimed to strengthen youth workers’ competences in communication, storytelling and organisational identity. The project was designed to support youth organisations in improving the way they communicate, connect and engage with young people, addressing a common need of making their values, mission and activities more visible and understandable.
Key objectives included:
- To understand how an organisation’s values and mission can be translated into a clear and coherent communication.
- To explore how to build a recognisable identity based on authenticity and meaningful messages.
- To develop practical skills to improve visibility and communication in youth work.
- To learn how storytelling and simple communication tools can support youth participation.
- To create space for participants to reflect on their local realities and exchange practices.
The training addressed the need of organisations to communicate more effectively and engage young people in a meaningful way, aligning with their goals of promoting participation, active citizenship and community involvement.
The training involved 25 participants from different Erasmus+ Programme countries across Europe, including Spain, Croatia, Poland, Romania, Germany, Portugal, Iceland, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The participants were youth workers, youth leaders and project managers actively involved in NGOs and youth organisations.
All participants were over 18 years old, had at least an intermediate level of English and were motivated to take part in all phases of the project, including preparation and follow-up. The group represented a diverse mix of backgrounds and experiences, creating a rich intercultural learning environment.
The trainers’ team was international, composed of trainers from different countries with experience in youth work, communication and non-formal education, ensuring a variety of perspectives and approaches throughout the training.
The trainers’ team was international, composed of trainers from different countries, bringing diverse experiences in youth work, communication, storytelling and non-formal education. This multicultural environment created a rich space for exchange, intercultural learning and collaboration.
The program was designed to develop youth workers’ competences in communication, storytelling and organisational visibility through a structured and experiential approach. Since many participants were not experts in communication strategies, the training followed a step-by-step process, starting from understanding organisational values and identity, and moving towards practical application.
The main approach was learning-by-doing, where participants engaged in practical exercises, simulations and real-life scenarios. Workshops focused on storytelling, public speaking, organisational identity and how to communicate messages in a clear and authentic way. Participants were encouraged to experiment with different tools and approaches in a safe and supportive environment.
Group work played a central role in the learning process. Participants worked in small, diverse teams to reflect on their organisations, exchange practices and co-create communication ideas. This fostered teamwork, creativity and intercultural dialogue. Peer-to-peer learning was also encouraged, with participants giving and receiving constructive feedback.
The training included moments of self-directed learning, allowing participants to explore topics of interest, reflect on their own organisations and deepen their understanding individually or in small groups. Role-playing and simulation exercises were also used to practice communication in real contexts, helping participants build confidence and improve their expressive skills.
Throughout the training, participants were encouraged to take an active role, learning through experience, dialogue and exchange. Group dynamics were carefully facilitated to promote participation, trust and collective learning.
The training successfully improved participants’ ability to communicate more clearly, authentically and effectively within their organisations. Participants developed practical skills in storytelling, communication strategies and organisational visibility, which they can directly apply in their daily youth work.
A key outcome was the development of new communication ideas and strategies tailored to participants’ organisations, as well as increased confidence in expressing messages and engaging young people. The intercultural environment also contributed to the exchange of good practices and strengthened networking among participants.
The success of the training was reflected in the high level of participation, the quality of group work and the positive feedback received from participants. Many participants expressed their intention to apply the acquired competences in their local contexts.
I worked as a full-time trainer in a team of three, delivering sessions on topics such as youth participation, communication, storytelling, organisational identity, digital tools, video making and how to translate values into clear and meaningful messages. I was responsible for leading these sessions together with my co-trainers and supporting participants throughout the learning process.
Key responsibilities included:
- Co-designing the program and structuring the training flow.
- Delivering interactive sessions on communication, storytelling and organisational identity.
- Facilitating workshops, group work and discussions based on non-formal education methods.
- Supporting participants in analysing their organisations and developing communication strategies.
- Coaching participants and providing tailored feedback during activities.
- Facilitating group dynamics and ensuring a safe, inclusive and participatory environment.
- Coordinating with the trainers’ team and adapting the program based on participants’ needs and feedback.